If a new kitten simply won't eat kitten food, try baby food with a
little warm water to soften it. Then mix in a small amount of kitten
food increasing the proportion with each feeding. See - Feeding Kittens.

Please remember that this page gives purely basic kitten care advice.
The best place by far to obtain all that you need to know about caring
for your kitten, is your veterinarian.

By all means read good kitten books but you can do no
better than to take your little pet on regular visits to your
veterinarian.

The Litter Tray And Your Kitten

If you want your new kitten to learn to use the litter tray then scoop it frequently.

What does a kitten need? She needs you to give her care and attention, so that she grows to become a happy and healthy cat.

A kitten will more readily do its toilet in a tray that is kept dry and is clean
smelling, rather than one that has urine and stools left in it that are hours old.

Keeping your kitten's tray clean will also allow you to check on the stool consistency and the
amount of urine.

Any change in the color or amount of urine, or any sign of runny stools, could be a signal that something is wrong.

Poisons, Chemicals, and Plants

Think of all the potentially dangerous chemicals and substances that you
keep around your home.

If you use anything containing chemicals to clean floors then let the
floor dry completely before allowing your kitten to walk on it.

Cats and
kittens have been known to become ill though licking their paws after
walking on newly cleaned floors.

Many household plants are toxic to cats. Be sure about the plants that you have around your home, do not keep any that could be harmful to your kitten.

Be aware that rat poison and the like can be just as deadly for
your kitten, or cat, as it can be for rodents.

Never give your kitten
any human medications - even something as innocent seeming as aspirin
can cause the death of a kitten.

Kitten Care - Introducing Your Kitten To Your Other Cats

Your new kitten should not be introduced to your other cats for at
least seven days. This quarantine, far from being mean or cruel, is
common sense care.

Young kittens have weak immune systems and are quite likely to
pick up a cold in the cattery. Keeping the youngster apart from your
existing felines will prevent the spreading of any "nasties".

Another benefit of a short isolation period, is that your new and old
pets will get on with each other better.

Allow the new kitten to
explore the house while your cat is in another room.

Make the introduction bit by bit, it is a good idea to let your
existing cat sniff your new kitten's blanket a few times before they
meet. Give your old cat plenty of fuss, and make her feel she is still
the boss.
See Introducing a New Kitten

Kitten toys can be an aid to your kitten's development. Kittens love to
stalk, chase, attack and investigate and they exercise and learn as
they do so.Kitten Toys

Caring For A Kitten - Vaccination

You will need to Take Your Kitten to be Vaccinated
at around age two months, three months and four months, your
veterinarian may also recommend bringing her back annually as part of her vaccination program.

Your investment in good basic kitten care will reward you with the companionship, and affection of a healthy kitten.

Kittens are into everything, they are curious and just love to
explore.

No matter how clean your home is, no matter how healthy you
think your other pets are, or whether your kitten is always kept indoors - your kitten can be exposed to infection.

Vaccines are not 100% effective, but will give your kitten a good
degree of protection against feline leukemia, respiratory diseases, flu
type viruses, feline panleukopenia, feline rabies and others.

It is important to understand that vaccines are not a treatment,
they are a prevention. If your kitten is unwell because she has not
been vaccinated, the vaccination shots should be given after recovery.

Kitten Care - Fleas, Ticks And Ear Mites

Ticks and Fleas Can Make Life Hell for your Kitten.
These pests feed off of the blood of your pet causing serious problems
such as dermatitis, tapeworm and anemia. Treat all the animals in your
house if you find one of them infected.

Be certain that all sprays, powders and shampoos that you use are
safe for kittens, your veterinarian will advise on this, and on all
aspects of kitten care.

Ear Mites
can be transmitted from cat to cat. If your kitten is shaking her head
repeatedly and scratching her ears, she may have become infested with
ear mites.

Take your pet to the veterinary to have her ears meticulously cleaned and appropriate medication prescribed.

Each stage of your kitten's development is precious, enjoy each
one. Before you know it, that same helpless little kitten, will becomes
your equally lovable fully mature cat. Kitten Development.

Kitten Care - Spaying And Neutering

Most of us are well aware of the need to prevent unwanted litters. The
unwanted cat population, in some areas, is such that large tribes of
feral cats roam the streets.

Millions of cats are being put to sleep
each year in animal shelters because there are no families to take them.
Most of these animals are healthy and young.